Augustine Part 2

Question 1

Hwo can the fall be interpreted

Answer 1

• as a symbol of a person spiritual journey
• the fall described in genesis 3 can be seen as an imaginative story of the relationship between humans and the world where humans lose their innocence and have to engage with the harsh realities of life
• this is closer to the Jewish interpretation of genesis 3 as they see the fall as an example of human journey towards perfection

Question 2

What does Richard Dawkins argue about beleif int he original sin

Answer 2

• not only contrary to evolutionary biology but also absurd and dangerous, blames a large amount of human sin and conflict on the original sin tradition, he argues;
  1. It is absurd to say the corruption of all humans rests on two people, evolutionary biology suggests we come from less sophisticated beings who wouldn’t have the kind of conciousness to even rebel, Adam and Eve makes no sense
• even symbolic account doesn’t rid Christianity of its unhealthy obsession with sin guilt and repressed sexuality
• saying god wanted to fix relationships with humans by killing Jesus is sadomasochistic and irrational

Question 3

What is the humanitarian principle argue

Answer 3

Humans get on much better when they take into account the interests of other people, this is viable as we are all rational beings which can respect the interests of other rational beings

Question 4

What does pinker argue about the humanitarian approach

Answer 4

• Christianity has been the source of violence and injustice in the world, this was until the irrational superstitions of Christianity such as the fall, original sin and grace were replaced by the humanitarian principle
• adopting the humanitarian prici0le has lead to less injustice and casualties so is self evidently right

Question 5

What does Ronald niebuhr argue

Answer 5

Ronald niebuhr hwiever disagrees the optimistic vision of post enlightenment thinker and the humanitarian principle has failed
- he argues by rejecting and rationalising the notion of sin, humans at all levels have failed to relapse that no action ever be entirely good which leads to more suffering
- the ideas of sin and the original fall can act as reminders of responsibility